Maryland women’s soccer started the 2024 campaign off strong Thursday, taking down Lehigh, 2-0, on the road.
With the help of stellar goaltending by Liz Beardsley, who totaled seven saves, the Terps held on to a first-half lead and added an insurance goal to seal their first win of the season.
After controlling possession throughout most of the first half, Maryland struck first in the 24th minute. Sophomore defender Kennedy Bell had Lehigh goalkeeper Maggie Ousouljoglou all alone off a pass from Ava Morales and tapped it in for Maryland’s first tally of the season. For Bell, this season-opener goal was the first of her collegiate career after going scoreless in her freshman campaign.
The first half had two different narratives that seemingly switched after Bell scored midway through. Prior to the goal, Maryland controlled most of the possession and looked to score, but after Maryland broke through, things flipped.
Lehigh quickly took possession. In the first half Lehigh posted six shots, but only two were on target, both of which were saved by Beardsley. Maryland’s defense held strong and limited any major scoring chances.
Maryland head coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer’s team had a strong showing in the first half, holding a lead after 45 minutes. Corners were tied at two and the Terps committed four fouls compared to Lehigh’s three. Besides the six-to-two shot attempt differential, it was a relatively even first half, and the Bell goal loomed large.
Katie Coyle received a yellow card seven minutes into the second half, as she took down Summer Hill, but the free kick chance ended in a missed shot by Mia Tuckwood. Taryn Raibon was huge in defense, blocking a shot to her head.
Beardsley then made two consecutive saves on shots by Esther Brossard. After Maryland had an opportunity on a blocked Morales shot, Lehigh flipped the field and had a flurry of shots on the Terps’ keeper.
Maryland added a second tally in the 65th minute. Ellie Egeland sent a cross in front of the net for Delaney DeMartino, who kicked it past Ousouljoglou.
After dominating possession throughout the second half, Maryland finally broke through to double its lead. DeMartino, who transferred in from Loyola (Md.), scored in her first match as a Terp coming off the bench.
Beardsley was incredible in the second half for Maryland. Following the second goal, she made two immaculate saves on shots by Aminah Baruwa and Abby-Lee Sanogo.
Maryland played keepaway for the final 10 minutes of the contest, with the exception of another huge Beardsley save, as the Terps secured the win in Bethlehem, Pa.
Although Lehigh had three more shots on net and one more corner, the Terps’ back-end held strong for a huge first win.
Three things to know
1. Starting off strong. Maryland women’s soccer is 1-0 for the first time in three years. After winning just three games last season, Maryland looks primed for improvement after Thursday’s victory.
2. Bell and DeMartino’s first Maryland goals. Last season, Maryland women’s soccer scored only nine goals the entire season. But Thursday showed things are changing for the program, as Maryland saw goals from two new goal scorers in Bell and DeMartino.
3. Beardsley’s dominance. Beardsley made seven saves in Thursday’s contest, many on high-danger chances from the Mountain Hawks. Despite the two Maryland goals, the Terps would not have taken this match if not for her play.
